Whether mammalian scent-tracking is aided by inter-nostril comparisons is unknown. We assessed this in humans and found that (i) humans can scent-track, (ii) they improve with practice, (iii) the human nostrils sample spatially distinct regions separated by ∼3.5 cm and, critically, (iv) scent-tracking is aided by inter-nostril comparisons. These findings reveal fundamental mechanisms of scent-tracking and suggest that the poor reputation of human olfaction may reflect, in part, behavioral demands rather than ultimate abilities.
I have a friend named Dave who wore so much patchouli that, if I went by his house within twenty minutes after he left, I could follow his trail through the open neighborhood and find him on scent alone.
I have a friend named Dave who wore so much patchouli that, if I went by his house within twenty minutes after he left, I could follow his trail through the open neighborhood and find him on scent alone.